Fair polls need due role of parties: President

President Abdul Hamid today said there is no alternative to free and fair polls for democracy and urged all political parties to come forward and play an effective role alongside the government.

The President said this when two delegations of Khilafat Majlish and Jamiat e Ulama e Islam Bangladesh met him separately at Bangabhaban responding to his move to hold talks with political parties over formation of Election Commission (EC), President’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told BSS.

He said political parties should hold dialogue among themselves as it can reduce difference of opinions of the political parties.

Khilafat Majlish secretary general Dr Ahmad Abdul Quader who led an 11-member delegation in the talks placed a 7-point proposal over formation of EC.

The proposals include making a law for formation of EC, forming a five-member search committee until enactment of the law, incorporating an Islamic scholar in the search committee, making the EC as financial independent and setting up a separate secretariat for the EC.

During another meeting with the President, executive President of Jamiat e Ulama e Islam Bangladesh Mohammad Wakkas proposed making a new law to form a strong and neutral EC and appointing a retired chief justice as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

Secretaries concerned to the President were present.

The President initiated the formal talks with political parties about the EC formation though discussions with BNP on December 18 last year.

He took the dialogue initiative as the tenure of the current Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad-led EC expires in February.